This handbook delivers practical and strategic guidance for every stage of trial. It explores the traits and skills of an effective trial advocate and provides detailed coverage of critical trial components, including jury selection, opening statements, presenting testimony, preserving the record, case-in-chief strategy, trial motions, closing arguments, jury instructions and interrogatories, verdict and judgment, and posttrial motions.
Chapter 1 — The Trial Advocate: Purpose, Talent, and Philosophy
Richard L. Miller II, Miller PC, Chicago
Chapter 2 — The Jury: The “Right” to It and the Selection of It
Robert Marc Chemers and Sean C. Maloney, Pretzel & Stouffer, Chartered, Chicago
Chapter 3 — Opening Statement
Telly C. Nakos, O’Connor & Nakos Ltd., Chicago
Chapter 4 — Presenting Testimony
Reviewed by IICLE staff
Chapter 5 — Preserving the Record During Trial
Richard L. Miller II, Miller PC, Chicago
Chapter 6 — Presenting the Plaintiff’s Case
Richard L. Miller II, Miller PC, Chicago
Chapter 7 — Motions During and at the Close of the Plaintiff’s Case-in-Chief
Laura J. Young, Nielsen Zehe & Antas, P.C., Chicago
Chapter 8 — Presenting the Defendant’s Case
Stacie R. Hartman, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius, LLP, Chicago
Chapter 9 — Motions During and at the Close of the Defendant’s Case-in-Chief
Michael C. McCutcheon and Laura A. Kelly, Baker & McKenzie LLP, Chicago
Chapter 10 — Motions at the Close of the Evidence
Richard L. Miller II, Miller PC, Chicago
Chapter 11 — Jury Instructions, Special Interrogatories, and Verdicts
Cara A. Lawson, McDermott Will and Schulte LLP, Chicago
Chapter 12 — Closing Argument
Steven Wolke, Wolke Legal, LLC, Sigel
Chapter 13 — Return of the Verdict and Entry of Judgment
Leah Garland Nolan, Heyl, Royster, Voelker & Allen, Chicago
Chapter 14 — Posttrial Motions
Steven Wolke, Wolke Legal, LLC, Sigel
